Merritt Paulson’s plan for a new Triple-A ballpark at Lents park is the topic of a story in The Nation. My pal Bojack is all over it. The column in the magazine was headlined “Merrittocracy” and Paulson takes a pretty good beating.

I’ve grown weary of all the stadium arguments and understand that we must agree to disagree. My belief is that stadiums — like mass transit, streetcars, trams, convention centers, public squares, zoos, opera houses and so many other things — are part of what makes a city special. Most people in most cities agree with me, by the way. It’s why there are so many nice arenas and stadiums sprinkled throughout the world. They are just one more thing that adds to the quality of life where you choose to make your home.

If you don’t think you should pay a share of the cost to build arenas and stadiums, I’m fine with that. Just do me this corresponding favor — leave my money out of the funds for mass transit systems that don’t go anywhere I need to go, convention centers I seldom visit, streetcars I never ride and bike bridges I’ll never cross.

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